Clinical features of osteoarthritis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and hypermobility syndromes.

In 1990, there were signs of a renewed interest in clinical studies about several aspects of osteoarthritis. The work-up of classic data and the use of new information from epidemiologic surveys as well as careful radiographic monitoring of selected groups of patients have brought us broader views on the general course of the condition. In addition, the biochemical disturbances underlying certain types of early degenerative arthritis that could help us to understand some of the mechanisms that may be operative in osteoarthritis have been disclosed. Finally, a few pieces of new information have been incorporated into the knowledge of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and the hypermobility syndrome.